Reference - Matthew 27:27–54

Video Summary:

Jesus was condemned to die by crucifixion and the event drew large crowds of people who came to witness the execution.  Many were happy to see Jesus punished, while others wept and disagreed with the way Jesus was being treated.  

At one point during the crucifixion, the guards stripped Jesus of his robe and began to draw lots to see who could walk away with the so-called prophet’s only possession.  The guard who won eventually realized that Jesus was innocent and felt remorse after his death.  

Years later, the guard sought out Jesus' earthly mother and gave her the robe which he had won that day.  He explained he was an eyewitness to the crucifixion and explained how Jesus had changed his life that day.

About this Video:

A soldier comes to visit some Christians after hearing rumors that Jesus, the man he saw die on the cross, might be alive again. The soldier shares about all the incredible things that happened around Jesus’ death and offers a gift with repentance for his part in it.

This story follows Matthew 27:27–54. Find more details in the parallel stories of Mark 15; Luke 23:26–49; and John 19:16–30.

Though this story deals with a horrible act of cruelty and punishment, the death of Jesus is central to Christianity and introduces the viewpoint of a Roman soldier who guarded him.

Death is part of every person’s experience. Yet for Jesus, it wasn’t the end. He defeated death when he rose again on the third day.

Questions to Consider:

1. How do you think the Roman soldiers who witnessed the darkness, earthquake, rocks splitting and the death of Jesus felt after these events?

2. What do you think happened to the soldiers who said, “Surely he was the Son of God?”

3. Do you think any of the Roman soldiers became believers in Jesus because of what they saw?

4. What do you think the Roman soldiers thought three days later when it was reported that Jesus rose from the dead?